The White Rose Shopping Centre welcomed shoppers for the first time on March 25, 1997. Work has started close on two years earlier - on July 10, 1995 - and took 87 weeks to complete at a cost of £64 million. Around 1.3 million bricks were used during construction. If placed end to end, these would cover 2,020 miles - the same distance from Morley to Tenerife. These photos, plucked the YEP archive, take you inside the Centre ahead of opening as well as showcasing the crowds on the big day and celebrities who visited during its first year. READ MORE: Unseen photos chart of a golden age of Leeds pub culture LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP WHATSAPP: Sign up to the Yorkshire Evening Post’s new WhatsApp channel for breaking news in Leeds
7. White Rose Centre
Disney characters at the opening in March 1997. Pictured, from left, are Pluto, Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse, Goofy and Donald Duck. | Mark Bickerdike Photo: Mark Bickerdike
8. White Rose Centre
Shoppers in the mall when it opened to the public for the first time in March 1997. | Mark Bickerdike Photo: Mark Bickerdike
9. White Rose Centre
Were you among the crowds on the opening day in March 1997? | Mark Bickerdike Photo: Mark Bickerdike
10. White Rose Centre
A lady from YEP promotions was at opening with white roses in March 1997. | James Hardisty Photo: James Hardisty
11. White Rose Centre
Pupils from Lady Elizabeth Hastings C of E School at Ledston present their prize winning mural to John Hartland, store director of Sainsbury's Savacentre in March 1997. | Roy Fox Photo: Roy Fox
12. White Rose Centre
A packed car park in April 1997. It opened with 5,000 free parking spaces on site – which, if lined up, would cover the distance from White Rose to Leeds Bradford Airport. | Steve Riding Photo: Steve Riding